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Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council members were asked to increase charges for lessons and ensembles at music centres.
Yet the cabinet found: “That the proposed increases be noted, but a decision to increase the fees at this time be deferred pending a report back from officers on savings identified from joint working arrangements.”
Minutes record the cabinet found 'it may be a little premature to approve the recommended increases in fees as on going work with Warwickshire County Council was taking place to see what savings could be achieved through partnership working'.
It said: "The leader also advised that if the report was delayed this could effect the chances of realising the savings required this financial year."
The costs would have risen by 10 or 20 per cent.
It follows a £100,000 cut in the music budget at the cash-strapped council, which says it is under-funded by the Government.
A report on the increases said: “We are aware that parents may be deterred from taking evening tuition for their children if pricing increases significantly.
“However, there remain alternatives for the majority of pupils through purchasing tuition within their school setting.”
The move would have brought in an extra £21,496 a year. Click here for more.
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